WFT’s ‘Life’ is a skilled retake of a cultural icon
BOSTON — Yes, Virginia, I am old enough to remember when there were actual radio dramas, soap operas, and serials. It was what was often called “the theater of the mind.” You… Continue reading
Author Archive
NSMT’s Coffee still gold standard for Scrooges
BEVERLY –– When Bill Hanney bought the North Shore Music Theatre out of bankruptcy in 2010, among the things he purchased were the building, other physical assets, the theater’s name and reputation. It… Continue reading
Oliva, Coen will have you rooting for ‘Becky’
BOSTON — Director Larry Coen and actress Celeste Oliva both scored in last season’s hit “Chinglish” at the Lyric Stage Company. Why break up a strong team? They have teamed up again, and… Continue reading
‘Lucy’ is a pleasant walk down Memory Lane
BOSTON — At least for one night, I was again part of a show’s target demographic. “I Love Lucy Live on Stage” at the Citi Emerson Colonial Theatre through Dec. 22 is right… Continue reading
Like Santa Claus, ‘Miracle’ won’t let you down
STONEHAM — The major problem with doing a stage adaptation of an iconic 1947 movie — or in this case an iconic 1947 movie that was remade in 1973 and 1994, not to… Continue reading
For NSMT’s Coffee, Scrooge is a role of lifetime
The story below is an expanded and revised version of a story that ran in the Boston Globe’s Holiday Arts Preview on Sunday, Nov. 24 BEVERLY — He was — and still is,… Continue reading
Cast, director lift Huntington’s ‘Cocktail Hour’
BOSTON — While many theater companies are producing holiday-themed pieces this month, the Huntington Theatre Company has done a bit of cross-programming that allows you to escape the holidays entirely for two hours,… Continue reading
New Rep’s scaled-down ‘Camelot’ still works
WATERTOWN — The timing is no accident. The New Repertory Theatre decided to revive the Lerner-Loewe musical “Camelot” almost exactly 50 years after John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas . The… Continue reading
Musical ‘Christmas Story’ will warm your heart
BOSTON — For those of you who have been glued to the TNT and then TBS marathon showing of “A Christmas Story” on TV each and every Christmas for the past 15 years,… Continue reading
‘A Little Princess’: A bright bulb on holiday tree
DORCHESTER — Sometimes, it takes a little work to see that brightest bulb on the Christmas tree. You move a branch that’s obscuring your view and — aha! — there it is.… Continue reading